Photograph:
Partially complete Vixen at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, VIC in 1992 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Two-seat light sport aircraft
Power Plant:
One 93 kw (125 hp) Continental IO-240 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8.83 m (29 ft)
- Length: 6.17 m (20 ft 3 in)
- Height: 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 11.24 m² (121 sq ft)
- Max speed: 233 km/h (145 mph)
- Cruising speed: 222 km/h (138 mph)
- Stalling speed in landing configuration: 69 km/h (43 mph)
- Rate of climb at sea level: 366 m/min (1,200 ft/min)
- Range: 995 km (618 miles)
- Take-off run: 37 m (120 ft)
- Landing run: 91 m (300 ft)
- Fuel capacity: 98 litres (22 Imp gals)
- Empty weight: 329 kg (725 lb)
- Payload: 363 kg (800 lb)
- Loaded weight: 703 kg (1,550 lb)
History:
The Vixen was a two-seat light sporting aircraft available in kit form from Skystar Aircraft Corp at Nampa, Idaho, this Company previously being known as Denney Aerocraft. One of a range of aircraft available from this manufacturer, it was fitted with a tricycle undercarriage and had a STOL performance. A variety of engines in the 60 kw (80 hp) to 93 kw (125 hp) range was available, including the Continental IO-240, the Rotax 912 series, and the Subaru range. Basic construction methods used in the Vixen were similar to those used in the Kitfox Speedster. Features included a two-piece fibreglass main undercarriage, a fully castoring nosewheel and folding wings. The Vixen was one of the first aircraft designed to qualify under new light aircraft certification rules in the United States. Construction was of steel tube with fabric covering.
A few examples were imported to this region and were built to meet AUF/RAA regulations, usually fitted with Rotax or Subaru engines and had a max take-off weight of 450 kg (992 lb). One example was first noted at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, VIC in 1992.
In more later times the Company moved to Caldwell in Idaho and the Vixen became known as the Kitfox Voyager. More than 2,500 examples have been sold around the world. The range included the Skystar Outback, a tailwheel model. Seating was for two side-by-side and construction was of welded 4130 chrome-moly steel fuselage with fabric covering. Baggage capacity was 68 kg (150 lb). Engine options also included Rotax, Lycoming and Continental units.